The Mixolydian Mode Back to Modes
The Mixoydian mode originates from the 5th degree of the major scale eg: G to G in C major. Its scale degrees are R 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 making it a major scale with the character note of a flattened 7th. This mode contains the chord tones (notes) of a dominant 7th chord: Root, 3rd, 5th, b7 which means you can play it over a dominant 7th chord and it can be commonly used in a major blues context. It is also a favourite mode in straight ahead rock because songs often have the chord progression going from the root to the flat seventh to the fourth. In the key of A, that would be A (chord I), G (flat7) and D (chord 4), Take me to the River is an example. In the key of D it would be D, C, G, eg: the verse of Sweet Child of Mine, Guns n Roses.
The notes of the major pentatonic scale exist inside the Mixolydian Mode and it can be helpful to see this clearly so firstly learn to play the 5 pentatonic shapes below. The ‘A’ root notes are black and other scale degrees are red with the scale degree number inside them. Fret numbers are indicated to the left of each diagram. Next, ‘pin’ the Mixolydian scale patterns onto the pentatonic ones and practice them one by one.
